Brandon Roy – Forever a baller in our hearts

I’m just going to be up front and honest about this one. When I heard the news that Brandon Roy’s career has come to an unfortunate, sad and undeserving end… I might have cried a little.

There are some things I just won’t understand in the World. Those things include how absolute dicks like Jerramy Stevens, Venoy Overton or Darius Miles can have so much talent but piss it away being terrible individuals who aren’t appreciative of where their talent has gotten them. Maybe I’m being a little narrow in my view of this, I don’t know.

Then there’s Brandon Roy. A man, a father, a basketball player, a representative of his community, that not a damn person will say anything negative about. If there is any such individual, they are probably just jealous of his devilish good looks and his swagger on the court.

I won’t understand why this is a man who has to have his career cut short at the age of 27, at the age where most basketball players that have the talent level of a Brandon Roy blossom into full fledged stardom.

And there are few things in sports that are as sad.

He doesn’t deserve this, not a player who has fought the adversity of his knees even since high school, only to still make it to the NBA, become rookie of the year, a franchise player and an All-Star.

Throughout my years watching basketball I’ve never seen a player with as much determination, effort, will, character, and whatever adjective you can come up with that describes just straight up how awesome B-Roy was.

My favorite descriptor for him? Baller. Personal definition? Player that does whatever it takes to win. Whether that be rallying your team mates, getting on the floor and doing dirty work, rebounding, or pulling that gorgeous drop step move under the basket when your team desperately needs that score.

I will never forget his Senior year at the University of Washington when he led a team with a supporting cast that had no business in the NCAA tournament, and put them on his back all the way into the Sweet 16.

I’ll never forget when he battled it out with Hassan Adams of Arizona, nailing a three at the buzzer to force OT. The roof blew off Hec Ed, and my dad’s house.

I’ll never forget how he almost went fistacuffs with Rudy Gay in that Sweet 16 games because Rudy wanted to run his mouth. I’ll never forget how Brandon did his talking on the court that day, and being the reason that we gave a clearly superior team everything they wanted from us. (Rudy Gay was obviously in awe of a player that even in the NBA has proven, is way freaking better)

I’ll never forget a man that is all about his community. Brandon was nothing but a professional when he was drafted by Portland, and even though played for a team that many back home might have had trouble rooting for he still made Seattle proud by living up to his potential, and preeminently led his new Blazer team to success they lacked before.

Hell, I’ll never forget how in his first ever professional game, Brandon put Portland on his back and defeated his home town Sonics. That was one of the most bittersweet days of my Sonics fan life, but I was happy because I knew that a man that deserved had arrived where he belonged.

Brandon Roy might have been the greatest player ever to wear the purple W and run the hardwood on Montlake. He might just be the greatest player to ever play in the shadow of the space needle in this city at all. The pride I get from that is hard to put into words. Because I got to watch him, I got to cheer for him, I got to watch him ball.

And I know I definitely won’t forget it when even in the face of retirement, that Brandon will still be active in his community and try to touch as many lives as possible.

It’s now important for basketball fans all over the Pacific Northwest to shower Brandon with the love and support he deserves. He did so much for us, it is only right that we do the same for him. And I can’t put into words how much I cannot wait for him to get back into the game in any capacity.

I can see it now. B-Roy flossed out in a fly purple suit on the sideline at Hec Ed coaching up the next great Husky baller. Because I know for sure, any kid growing up in this city playing basketball looking up at the greatest Husky/Seattleite ever, is going to shut up and pay attention.

Thank you for everything, Brandon Roy.

Now if you’ll excuse me, I’ve got something in my eye.

2005-06 Team Manager Brandon Miller reflecting the emotions of B-Roy fans around the World today